PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Today, Governor Dan McKee and Secretary of Commerce Liz Tanner announce the inaugural recipients of grants through the state’s new Invention Incentive Program.

Informed by feedback from small businesses and patent practitioners, the Invention Incentive Program offers reimbursable grants of up to $5,000 to Rhode Island residents or small businesses with 500 or fewer employees for eligible expenses incurred when filing a patent application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. 

The inaugural round of applications opened in April and patents selected were a mix of provisional and nonprovisional, representing a broad range of inventions in medical devices, health technology, marine sensors, advanced materials, manufacturing, and electronics.

Twelve (12) grants totaling $51,322.50 are being awarded to the following companies and inventors:

  • Circadian Positioning Systems ($5,000)
  • Crewless Marine Acoustics, LLC ($5,000)
  • EvoNatura ($5,000)
  • Genoa PCM LLC ($5,000)
  • Jeffrey Labovitz ($5,000)
  • Julie Loffredi ($4,605)
  • Kolt Innovations Inc. ($4,970)
  • Lauren M. Lake ($3,330)
  • Plans4Care ($3,555)
  • Research Instruments Corporation ($2,762.50)
  • Shellf Life LLC ($2,260)
  • Zmanti Inc ($4,840)

“Innovation is key to Rhode Island’s economic future, and we’re committed to supporting the entrepreneurs that are driving it forward,” said Governor Dan McKee. “These grants give local inventors the tools they need to protect their ideas and take the next step toward growth, job creation, and long-term success.”

“All great inventions start with an idea—and protecting that idea is critical to turning it into a business opportunity. These grants will help safeguard the innovation happening here—empowering entrepreneurs to get to the next step and grow in Rhode Island,” said Secretary of Commerce Liz Tanner.

The program is part of Rhode Island Commerce’s Innovation Initiatives portfolio, which continues to invest in innovation and entrepreneurship as outlined in the state’s RI 2030 plan. 

To learn more, visit commerceri.com/invention-incentive-program.